SHIP appoints new chair of standards board

Pond (pictured) - who was head of consumer affairs at the FSA for over three years - will be responsible for implementing SHIP standards and consumer protection as the organisation opens its doors to the wider equity release industry. He said the maintenance of consumer protection is "essential" to give people the "confidence they will be treated fairly" if they consider using equity release to fill the increasing gap in retirement incomes and long-term care funding. Pond, who was also MP for Gravesham between 1997 and 2005 and a work and pensions minster, said he was looking forward ...